Authorities release name of fatal Diboll crossbow injury victim

DIBOLL, TX (KTRE) - Authorities have released the name of the Diboll-area man who died as a result of a self-inflicted crossbow injury Tuesday. Anthony Jay Bennefield Sr., 48, of Diboll died en route to or at Lufkin Memorial hospital.

Bennefield's death is still under investigation at this time. According to Captain Allen Hill of the Angelina County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officials are waiting on autopsy results.

"Right now what we do know is that the subject did pass away from an arrow to the upper torso," Chris Wade, an investigator with the Angelina County Sheriff's Office, said Tuesday.

Although there are still many unanswered questions surrounding Bennefield's death, investigators do know that the arrow, or bolt, was fired from a crossbow. Soon after the incident, Bennefield was transported to Lufkin's Memorial Hospital. It is not know whether he died on the way to the hospital or at the hospital.

Wade said that, to his knowledge, there have never been any domestic issues at the residence or any criminal investigations involving the victim. He also said law enforcement officials believe that Bennefield was the only person involved in the incident.

"We believe it's self inflicted at this time," Wade said. "We don't believe in any foul play at this time, but it's still unsure at this time until we complete the investigation."